Single-arm, first-in-human feasibility study results for an ultra-low-cost insulin pump.

Background: Use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) has been shown to improve glycemic outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), but high costs limit accessibility. To address this issue, an inter-operable, open-source Ultra-Low-Cost Insulin Pump (ULCIP) was developed and previously shown to demonstrate comparable delivery accuracy to commercial models in standardised laboratory tests. This study aims to evaluate the updated ULCIP in-vivo, assessing its viability as an affordable alternative for those who cannot afford commercially available devices.

Non-Invasive Assessment of Abdominal/Diaphragmatic and Thoracic/Intercostal Spontaneous Breathing Contributions.

(1) Background: Technically, a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive method of ascertaining volume changes in thoracic and abdominal cavities are required to expedite the development and validation of pulmonary mechanics models. Clinically, this measure enables the real-time monitoring of muscular recruitment patterns and breathing effort. Thus, it has the potential, for example, to help differentiate between respiratory disease and dysfunctional breathing, which otherwise can present with similar symptoms such as breath rate.

Investigation of Narrow-band NIR LED Spectral Response Towards a Non-invasive Glucose Sensor.

Spectroscopy is utilised extensively in medical sensing technology. Typically, hand-held spectroscopy equipment uses miniature narrow-band light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiodes to emit and detect light, respectively. Photodiodes typically absorb light across a wide spectra so measurements can be corrupted by surrounding light.

Respiratory pressure and split flow data collection device with rapid occlusion attachment.

Respiratory model-based methods require datasets containing enough dynamics to ensure model identifiability for development and validation. Rapid expiratory occlusion has been used to identify elastance and resistance within a single breath. Currently accepted practice for rapid expiratory occlusion involves a 100 ms occlusion of the expiratory pathway.

Low-cost, low-power, clockwork syringe pump.

A low-cost ($120 NZD, $75 USD), low-power (1-year battery life), portable, and programmable syringe pump design is presented, which offers an alternative to high-cost commercial devices with limited battery life. Contrary to typical motor-driven syringe pumps, the design utilizes a compression spring coupled with a clockwork escapement mechanism to advance the syringe plunger. Full control over flow-rate and discrete (bolus) deliveries is achieved through actuation of a clockwork escapement using programmable, low-power electronics.

An identifiable model of lung mechanics to diagnose and monitor COPD.

Background: Current methods to diagnose and monitor COPD employ spirometry as the gold standard to identify lung function reduction with reduced forced expiratory volume (FEV)/vital capacity (VC) ratio. Current methods utilise linear assumptions regarding airway resistance, where nonlinear resistance modelling may provide rapid insight into patient specific condition and disease progression. This study examines model-based expiratory resistance in healthy lungs and those with progressively more severe COPD.

Bench-Side Dose Accuracy of an Open-Source Ultra-Low-Cost Insulin-Pump, With Testing Conducted to IEC 60601-2-24.

With the prevalence of diabetes higher than ever, governments and people with diabetes are facing significant treatment and indirect costs associated with managing their condition. An ultra-low-cost insulin pump is a possible solution to improving health disparities. This article presents test results for an insulin-pump built from low-cost components (bill of materials < $US100).

Design of an open source ultra low cost insulin pump.

In this report we present a design for an open source low cost insulin pump. The pump has been designed to provide an alternative to commercially available pumps costing upwards of US$6500, making them inaccessible to many. The hardware described in this article can be produced for a materials cost of US$89.

Respiratory bi-directional pressure and flow data collection device with thoracic and abdominal circumferential monitoring.

Non-invasive pressure and flow data from Venturi-based sensors can be used with validated models to identify patient-specific lung mechanics. To validate applied respiratory models a secondary measurement is required. Rotary encoder-based tape measures were designed to capture change in circumference of a subject's thorax and diaphragm.

CPAP pressure and flow data at 2 positive pressure levels and multiple controlled breathing rates from a trial of 30 adults.

Objectives: A unique dataset of airway flow/pressure from healthy subjects on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation was collected. This data can be used to develop or validate models of pulmonary mechanics, and/or to develop methods to identify patient-specific parameters which cannot be measured non-invasively, during CPAP therapy. These models and values, particularly if available breath-to-breath in real-time, could assist clinicians in the prescription or optimisation of CPAP therapy, including optimising PEEP settings.

Physiologic-range flow and pressure sensor for respiratory systems.

A low-cost but reliable flow and pressure sensor is an impediment to development of medical equipment, and studies of human respiratory function, which is characterised by relatively low pressures and flows. A Venturi tube ( ) connected to a differential pressure sensor (SDP816-125 Pa) allows accurate measurement of flow between , with Pearson Correlation over 4 min at , and distance correlation . The pressure measurement was similarly accurate using a MPVZ4006GW7U.

Physiologic-range three/two-way valve for respiratory circuits.

A 3D-printed three/two-way valve compatible with respiratory circuits is presented. It is actuated by a servo motor (HXT12K), which is able to be controlled by any PWM-capable micro controller. The valve sufficiently isolates respiratory circuits to deliver fully customisable mechanical ventilation breathing cycles, with differences in driving and end-expiratory pressures of up to successfully demonstrated.

Determining Losses in Jet Injection Subcutaneous Insulin Delivery: A Model-Based Approach.

Objective: Accurate, safe glycemic management requires reliable delivery of insulin doses. Insulin can be delivered subcutaneously for action over a longer period of time. Needle-free jet injectors provide subcutaneous (SC) delivery without requiring needle use, but the volume of insulin absorbed varies due to losses associated with the delivery method.

Determining the effects of insulin Detemir on endogenous secretion of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a long-term metabolic disorder. A pilot trial was designed to investigate the effects of the long acting insulin Detemir on endogenous insulin secretion, to assess use in early T2D care. Provesn metabolic system models are used to identify patient-specific insulin sensitivity and endogenous insulin secretion from clinical data.

Insulin Units and Conversion Factors: A Story of Truth, Boots, and Faster Half-Truths.

Conventional insulin concentration units (IU/mL or just U/mL) are bioefficacy based, whereas the Système International (SI) units (pmol/L) are mass based. In converting between these two different approaches, there are at least 2 well-accepted conversion factors, where there should be only 1. The correct value is not the most-used or well-accepted using online calculators, some journal styles, laboratory reports, and published articles.